1 Thess 2:13-3:5
SS Lesson for 08/04/2024
Devotional Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Because it was written around AD 51, the epistle we call 1 Thessalonians was probably the first of the New Testament’s 27 books to be written. Although the four Gospels detail earlier events, most research agrees that those four were not written until the AD 60s and later. Thessalonica was (and is) a Macedonian port city where Paul founded a church during his second missionary journey. His visit was quite controversial (Acts 17:1-9). The commotion Paul stirred was so intense that he had to escape by night (17:10). That was not the first time he had had to do so (9:23-25), nor would it be the last (23:31). The city was on an important trade route and prospered as a result. Those of Greek, Roman, and Jewish heritage constituted its population. Paul and Silas had entered the synagogue in Thessalonica and argued from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. They ultimately persuaded some Jews and many Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4). Other Jews in the city became envious of Paul and Silas’ success. They persuaded the governing authorities to persecute the residents who believed in Christ. While the church in Thessalonica grew, it continued to face challenges in the form of persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 3:3-4). Paul wrote this letter to comfort and encourage the Thessalonian believers in their trials.
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe
(Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV)
2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man.
1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed, God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29 Paul replied, "Short time or long, I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."
15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.
18 Therefore we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 12 let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; 13 they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, 4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
125 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
I have to confess that I initially agonized over whether or not to include verses 13-16 in this message. Sixteen verses seemed like a lot of ground to cover, and I was uncertain as to how closely verses 13-16 were linked with verses 1-12. I now see verses 13-16 as very closely related to the first 12 verses of chapter 2. Not only did God authenticate the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit (1:5), God authenticated the gospel message through His messengers: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. This is exactly how God intended it to work:
7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment – 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned” (John 16:7-11).
1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony of God. 2 For I decided to be concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling. 4 My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? We don’t need letters of recommendation to you or from you as some other people do, do we? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone, 3 revealing that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Now we have such confidence in God through Christ. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:1-6).
The slick, smooth, manipulative rhetoric of the religious hucksters attracted men to them and to their persuasive powers. Paul rejected such verbal gimmickry and proclaimed the good news in simple and straightforward terms. When the Holy Spirit empowered and authenticated the gospel message, the Thessalonians received it as the Word of God, and not merely the words of men. Because of how Paul and his colleagues lived and preached, the Thessalonians recognized their words as God’s Word. Their motives and methods drew men’s attention to God and to His Word, rather than to them. That was the way it was supposed to be for they were stewards of the gospel, entrusted with it, and commissioned to declare it plainly to men.
But what I find most interesting about these last four verses of our text for this lesson is this: Because of the motives and methods of the messengers, the Thessalonians became imitators not only of Paul and his associates, but also of the churches of Judea. The message Paul preached was the same message that was proclaimed in Judea. And when people believed God’s Word and it worked powerfully in them, they responded in the same way. The Jewish believers in Judea embraced the gospel as the Word of God, and they were persecuted by their (unbelieving Jewish) brethren for doing so. Nevertheless, they joyfully suffered for their faith in Jesus (see Acts 5:41-42). Now, the Thessalonians hear the same gospel, and they likewise believe it as the Word of God. Like their Jewish brethren, they are persecuted by their (Gentile) countrymen for their faith, and they joyfully endure it.
The link that I came to see in our text is the relationship between verses 1 and 2 of chapter 2 and verses 14-16. The gospel messengers (Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy) willingly suffered for proclaiming the gospel, not just in Thessalonica, but also in Philippi (2:1-2). Now, because of the way they lived out the gospel that they proclaimed, the Thessalonians have not only trusted in Jesus for salvation, they have also become saints who joyfully suffer for living out their faith. The Thessalonians not only embraced the gospel message, they imitated those who brought it to them. I believe this is a profoundly important truth, which we must explore further in a moment.
The first word of verse 17 – “But” – indicates that Paul is setting out to contrast his response to the salvation of the Thessalonians with that of their unbelieving countrymen (as described in the preceding verses). Did their countrymen reject and persecute them, just as the Judean Jews opposed the conversion of their Jewish brethren? Paul, along with Silvanus and Timothy, responded in a very different way to their faith in Christ. They rejoiced greatly because these beloved brethren had placed their faith and hope in Jesus.
The word rendered “separated” in verse 17 (above) is not really strong enough to convey the intense love which Paul and his associates had for the Thessalonian believers. A better – and much more literal – translation of this word would be “orphaned.” Think of parents who have their child snatched from them, and who are subsequently forbidden contact with their beloved offspring. That is the way Paul felt about his premature (humanly speaking) separation from these saints. The passing of time had in no way diminished Paul’s sense of loss at being torn away from those he loved. He now feels the loss even more strongly than he did at first, and he is therefore more eager than ever to return to them. Notice that nothing – no letter, and no second-hand report – will do; it must be a face-to-face visit for Paul to be content.
How, then, does Paul explain his absence from them? What has kept him away all this time? His absence is not the result of a lack of desire on his part. Time after time he had attempted to come to them, and each time Satan had thwarted his efforts. It is not Paul who is to blame for his absence, but Satan. Now, we can be sure that Paul does not mean to describe a situation in which Satan is in control, for he is certain of the sovereignty of God in all things. But he knew, as we do, that God sometimes makes use of Satan’s efforts to accomplish His purposes. We see this in the affliction of Job and in David’s numbering of the Israelites. Paul also experienced this in his own life:
7 Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. 8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7b-10).
Thus, Satan – like the Thessalonian and Jewish unbelievers (see above) – opposes those who have turned to God by faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah.
So Paul’s expression of his affection grows more and more emphatic as his words in our text unfold. Yes, he was torn from them unwillingly, but always with a desire to be reunited with them face-to-face (verse 17). Paul repeatedly attempted to return to Thessalonica, but Satan was used to prevent this (verse 18). And now in verses 19 and 20, we come to the pinnacle of Paul’s expression of love for these saints:
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you? 20 For you are our glory and joy! (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
Verse 19 looks forward to the time when Christ returns, when saints will be reunited in the presence of their Lord. Jesus had said it during His time on earth:
19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes” (Luke 16:9).
Paul took this matter seriously. Does he look forward to the time when God will grant him the blessing of seeing these saints face-to-face? He clearly does. But here he speaks of a far better reunion, a heavenly reunion when he will be reunited with these saints in heaven, in the presence of the Lord, to enjoy fellowship with Him and with His people for all eternity. No more painful parting there; no more separation then.
When we read Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-20 (and even in Luke 16:9), we tend to think in terms of money. But that is not where the emphasis lies. In both texts, Jesus challenges Christians not to be too attached to money, to acquiring and maintaining wealth. He speaks of money – our earthly treasure – as a means to bringing others to faith, who will joyfully greet us in heaven. The true treasure that we should lay up in heaven is the saints whom we have introduced to faith in Jesus. If we are to obey Jesus and be like Paul, then it is our brothers and sisters in Christ who should be our hope, our joy, and our crown. Do the Thessalonians’ countrymen reject and persecute them? Let them know that they will not be lacking friends in heaven.
Now, when we come to verse 20, the word “hope” disappears. Instead we simply read, “For you are our glory and joy!” I believe Paul changes his focus here from the future to the present. If the saints are our hope and joy and crown in heaven, then they should also be precious to us here on earth. That is what I believe Paul is saying here. Does he treasure these saints? He surely does, for they are a significant part of his heavenly hope. And because of this, they are also treasured by him now, here on earth. Let these beloved saints not think that his absence is an indication of a diminishing affection for them. One could hardly think of any words which convey his love and affection better than those employed in verses 19 and 20.
Paul has already told the Thessalonians that he was not permitted to return to Thessalonica, but this in no way indicated any cooling of his affections for his brothers and sisters there. In the most emphatic way, he affirmed his love for them, as well as for his hope of being with them for all eternity. But now he describes in even greater detail the depth of his concern for them and commitment to them.
If Paul’s absence caused the Thessalonians to be concerned about him, it also caused Paul to be concerned about them. When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, he had recently suffered persecution in Philippi. Beyond this, he had made it very clear to the Thessalonians that they, too, would suffer for placing their faith in the Lord Jesus, something they had already experienced. No longer in Thessalonica and unable to return at the moment, Paul was concerned to know how these saints were holding up under persecution, knowing that Satan was seeking to take advantage of this situation. Had the “tempter” been able to gain a foothold in the church? Had he been successful in undoing what had been accomplished there?
Given these concerns, Paul was not willing to passively sit back and accept his separation from those whom he had served as a nursing mother and a caring father. Since he could not personally go to Thessalonica, Paul sent his beloved associate Timothy to strengthen and encourage the saints there, as well as to assess their spiritual progress. (Because Paul indicated that doing this caused him to be “left alone,” it would appear that Silvanus must not have been with Paul at the time. The “we” would therefore be an editorial “we.”)
I doubt that we can fully appreciate the sacrifice it was for Paul to remain alone in order to send Timothy to Thessalonica. Just as the saints were facing trials and tribulations at Thessalonica, Paul was dealing with his own troubles:
7 So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:7).
Timothy was like a son to Paul and was one of Paul’s most treasured companions:
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be encouraged by hearing news about you. 20 For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you. 21 Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel (Philippians 2:19-22).
Sending Timothy was a great sacrifice on Paul’s part and his finest gift to the Thessalonians. This was an indication of his love for these saints.
In addition to this, I am inclined to think that sending Timothy at this time was the beginning of good things to come from Timothy. Remember that this is Timothy’s first journey with Paul. Later on, we know that Paul will send Timothy to Corinth, Philippi, and Ephesus. Sending Timothy to Thessalonica was Timothy’s first mission as Paul’s representative, but it was surely not the last. What may have looked like Paul’s last resort in our text will later become his first choice. Paul’s anguish over his absence and over the fate of the Thessalonians paved the way for Timothy’s future ministry.
(Adapted from URL: https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-3-does-paul-have-%E2%80%9Cfeminine-side%E2%80%9D-1-thessalonians-21-16)
Suffering is part of the Christian life. But sometimes, we fall into the habit of dealing with suffering alone. We think we need to just grit our teeth and bear it. While God does call us to endure suffering, he does not ask us to suffer alone. Paul talks more about suffering for Christ than anyone else in the New Testament. Yet his solution was not telling people to buck up but encouraging them. Because the church is Christ’s body, we share in each other’s sufferings (1 Corinthians 12:26). By encouraging one another, we can help bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:2). We will also keep sufferings from becoming temptations, leading one another away from following Christ.